The Manitowoc Lincoln Ships’ first football game of the season did not go as planned.
A very experienced De Pere Redbirds team scored early and often, defeating Lincoln 41-0 from Ron Rubic Field.
The Redbirds scored on two touchdown passes, three runs, and a couple of field goals.
By halftime, the Redbirds were up 38-0 and racked up 256 yards on the day.
Lincoln only had 82 through the air and on the ground. Lincoln Starting Quarterback Holden Woodfill had a rough start to his career, throwing four interceptions.
The Ships’ offense also had two fumbles which led to recoveries by the Redbirds.
New Head Coach Evan Smith spoke with Damon Ryan on the postgame show on WOMT, where he noted that the team just needs to tighten a few things up, as they were one block away from several big offensive plays.
“We’re still building some confidence in what we’re doing,” he said. “You were there for practice Thursday. We were much sharper than what we were out here today.”
Despite the five-possession loss, Coach Smith is not panicking.
“I have all the confidence in the world in our in our offense, our team, our quarterback, our receivers,” he said. “Like I said, it was an off night.”
Lincoln starts season at 0-1, and will try to move past this loss and prepare for their first road game of the season as they head to Ashwaubenon to face the Jaguars.
De Pere hosts Notre Dame in their next game.
